Inter-ACTION

Deciphering the transcriptional and epigenetic complexity of parasitic interaction

The Inter-ACTION project aims to integrate multi-omic transcriptional and epigenetic data down to the single-cell level in order to create an interactive atlas of gene regulatory networks. It focuses on a major agronomic challenge: the parasitic interaction between root-knot nematodes and tomato plants.
In infested soils, these microscopic worms infect the roots of their hosts, causing substantial yield losses in vegetable crops worldwide. Inter-ACTION seeks to build a comprehensive understanding of parasitism by decoding the regulation of gene expression in both the parasite and its host. The goal is to shed light on gene regulatory networks by considering both sides of the interaction and to identify, at the genomic and single-cell scales, the regulatory regions involved in the reprogramming of gene expression during parasitism.
We will monitor how gene regulation evolves between the two organisms during their interaction. Using single nucleus approaches, we will create an interactive transcriptomic atlas that captures tissue and cell level details. Ultimately, this project will identify the key molecular players involved in successful parasitism, opening new avenues for crop protection and control strategies.